I regularly drive two cars, a 1999 9-5, and a 2002 Audi A4. Both are fairly evenly matched; they have very similar-feeling suspensions (aftermarket Bilstein Sport / Eibach springs / sway bars / poly bushings in the 9-5, stock sport suspension in the Audi).

I love the way the A4 feels and for a while worked to improve the suspension on the 9-5 to match it. Hence, the upgrades listed above. I've put enough money into this project to know now that no matter what work I do on the 9-5, it's not going to feel like the A4 when aggresively cornering.

I attribute this difference to the Quattro system in the A4, and feel much safer whipping the car around corners. With the AWD the car just feels more balanced and controlled. It's a feeling you can only feel in the seat of your pants as you hit that corner, a feeling of stability. You are being pushed and pulled at the same time, unlike in the 9-5 where the pull of the FWD translates into oversteer in hard & fast cornering.

I know that most drivers don't look to AWD for this benefit, but honestly it is the biggest one I have gleaned frm AWD. My 9-5 still seems to handle better in the snow than the Audi does.

posted by 129.105.77...

• The "need" for AWD, Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 05:23:42
  • My $.02..., bb vign, Fri, 11 Mar 2005 05:52:17
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, David, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 08:02:45
    • You mean going uphill, AWD is better.., Bob M, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 08:16:56
      • Re: You mean going uphill, AWD is better.., David, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:21:27
        • Low Center-of-Gravity, Draken, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:48:00
  • One need for AWD - to handle 300+ hp in the next 9-5, Greg Abbott , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 16:52:53
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Doug/NH, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:42:24
  • For that ONE TIME that I get stuck in snow, jimtimkim, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:11:24
  • Seat-of-the-pants feel & dry handling..., sonique, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:52:58 <-- Viewing This Message
  • I want AWD, MO, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:52:54
  • My big problem with AWD..., Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:43:33
    • Who cares about fuel economy?, NonStop , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:31:22
      • My master plan for Saab!, Draken, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 22:36:57
        • Yes that would be a great idea..., AdamB , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 23:15:42
      • You're right, Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:19:00
        • Agree with Carrma, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:43:08
      • Unfortunetely you are right, to a certain extent..., No.9, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:14:06
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Dan , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:42:41
    • 900 vs. 9-5, NonStop , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:20:24
  • Image vs. reality, Ari , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 10:21:30
    • Nice analysis. n/m, Camm , Thu, 10 Mar 2005 18:21:50
  • Solution for steep hills with FWD, Caarma , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:44:40
    • I'll keep that in mind..., Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:28:18
  • Re: awd wanted, t_mokes, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:39:12
  • Re: The "need" for AWD, Doug/NH, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:30:39
  • I "need" AWD, RF, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:19:04
    • Ground clearance is an issue..., Bob M, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:30:10
  • Give the customer what they want, Draken, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:18:18
    • You are absolutely right..., No.9, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:41:54
  • The sad thing is, Finch, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 08:57:41
  • A triumph of marketing, Brian_in_MA, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:40:36
    • It sure is!, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 09:25:18
  • The average driver on dry / snow won't notice, NickR, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:09:53
  • Thought about this last night while driving from, Noel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:07:07
  • Most people don't want "fun", Nathaniel, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:33:53
  • city slickers, brandi, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:19:06
  • It's easier than dedicated snows, Greg Abbott , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:08:12
    • An AWD vehicle without winter tires is far worse, AdamB , Wed, 9 Mar 2005 06:39:19
      • Yes! Very true (+), Vlad, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:05:14
        • I second or third that ,,,,,, 91Aero.jr, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 17:06:28
        • Agreed, Chad, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 07:07:01
          • best of both worlds - AWD put snow tires, markP, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:39:12
            • 9-5 or 9-3 "Allroad" or "Cross Country"?, Draken, Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:31:32
          • Very much agreed, Schu, Wed, 9 Mar 2005 08:47:48

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